If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Re: Paperless Classes

Originally Posted by Stripes

Fine... a bit change.

Why do you think its not possible currently?

newer technology is more expensive.

Mini 'smartboards' for use by each student would seriously add up. And if not paid for by the schools, would most likely put some people in a difficult situation in a time where money is already pretty tight.

It sucks, I know, but soon enough I think will see more "non-paper" education material available for the classrooms. It's only a matter of time.

Re: Paperless Classes

Yea.. cost is an important factor.

I kind of believe the idea is yet somewhat despised or it is simply not acceptable to a lot of people. Maybe because of its drawbacks. Yea.. right, it is intimidating because of such things. Cheating is a potential problem. Besides that, I believe many students develop a more laid back attitude towards their studies because a paperless class is usually based on individual and self based learning.

So according to me, until these problems are overcome, it is just an illusion.

Re: Paperless Classes

I've already given a couple of good answers upon the matter and it would also send energy bills sky rocketing not to mention creating a greater demand for energy which at the moment comes from finite resources such as coal, oil and gas which they contribute to the greenhouse effect and inhances climate change along with that severe weather changes to certain places on the planet.

Re: Paperless Classes

It's pretty much ubiquitous in Sweden, where schools are well enough funded to hand out a (brand new) laptop to every student* (for free). Except, classes aren't really as paperless as originally envisioned. Turns out, computers replacing pen and paper is a bit like conveyor belts replacing streets. It looked nice in theory, but when push comes to shove, pen and paper has had a couple of thousand years of design work gone into it, while computer interfaces have had like 30 years. So in many cases they're just awkward and clunky.

If I take notes on a computer, I'm stuck in this text editing program that only allows text input in straight lines, and I can't sketch diagrams or make notes in the margin (in any way that's not incredibly awkward). In the end, it just so inferior to the hand written word. Sure, there are tablet computers, but then you're just taking hand written notes on really expensive paper.

* This is most high-schools, and but some schools for 12-15 year olds have them too nowadays. And this is public schools. As in, you don't pay anything to go there.

Re: Paperless Classes

Like Eris mentioned, we need more time for the technology to mature to the point it become mass and inexpensive. Still, we must not leave out the writing motor skill in pre, primary and secondary education. They need to know and learn basic skills first before we can introduce to technology aided learning tools to them. Unless, the person is disable from birth, or have motor disorder or from accident, paperless education is only viable option for him/her to get proper education.

Re: Paperless Classes

I can see how it would be hard to fund computers for students to bring with them to class and it's impractical for certain things. I took two online math classes and that was alright. I was motivated enough to finish the work so it wasn't a problem for me. But we still had to show up to take all our tests on paper.

After more research it was determined that 2012 was the end of twinkies.

Re: Paperless Classes

Originally Posted by .:neuko:.

Just because the idea's possible, doesn't mean it's a good idea!

But on a more positive note, at least it would help the rainforests.

Oh, but paperless don't actually save much paper. Either the students have to be allowed to carry the computer everywhere; this means the technology has to be portable else students print out many things and many of them are not even required. Even if the technology is portable yet they do print out paper.

Re: Paperless Classes

Even though the cost of technology has come down it is far too expensive for every school just to hand out laptops or something similar to every single student and what happens once the memory becomes full? what happens if they crash during lesson? what happens if everyone in the classroom just ended up on msn?